Sports Direct Premiership
Glentoran v Linfield
(Friday, 7.45pm, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)
LEAGUE leaders Linfield will be hoping to begin December with a festive treat of all three points when they come face-to-face with age-old rivals Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval.
The Blues have used last season’s disappointment of relinquishing their league crown to the new kids in town, Larne, by being evidently ruthless in their usual efficient – if at times underwhelming – performances this season to date.
Two points clear at the top from Larne, with a game in hand, and a mammoth 15 points ahead of tonight’s opponents, David Healy’s men are once again favourites to grasp the Gibson Cup for an unprecedented 57th time.
In striker Chris McKee, who has contributed eight goals, and ex-Antrim GAA frontman Matthew Fitzpatrick – three goals in his last three appearances – the south Belfast side have an attacking threat that they have so often struggled to find.
They are ably assisted by the mercurial Joel Cooper, wizardry at its finest.
While the likes of Glentoran and Cliftonville have made headlines by making big managerial appointments in Warren Feeney and Jim Magilton respectively, Healy has gone about his business, recruiting shrewdly, including Euan East at the back, who has seemingly quelled all fear of the potential problems caused by the loss of defensive stalwart Jimmy Callacher to Crusaders.
As they hit the half way point of the campaign, Linfield are 10 points better off than at the same time last season with four more victories to show.
Glentoran’s season could be best described as being akin to a trampoline – for every up there is almost certain to be a down thereafter.
Fifth position, and way off the pace, means that Feeney’s honeymoon period is well and truly over.
Having claimed only one league victory in their last five games, a 5-0 thrashing of struggling Ballymena United, fans’ frustration is evident and something has to show for the money invested in the side – and in the appointment of Feeney.
Their midweek Co Antim Shield semi-final victory over Carrick Rangers will ensure a crack at silverware, however this is unlikely to placate the Oval faithful.
The two sides have already met in the league, with Linfield winning 2-0 at Windsor Park, Glentoran again being punished for not taking early chances.
They have also squared-off in League Cup action with Linfield winning in east Belfast to add more insult to injury.
With the Blues only having lost once in seven league games, they are in red-hot form, and will have the favourites’ tag on their shirts this evening.
Glentoran are relying on intermittent brilliance from striker Junior, but unless they find a more consistent source of goals they may be in for a long night and a long season ahead.
